Veteran Republican U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, who has represented the region for more than three decades, will join McConnell as he visits coal country. McConnell has focused on tying Grimes to President Barack Obama, who remains unpopular in Kentucky over his energy policy and moves to put more restrictions on the coal industry. But Grimes has tried to distance herself from the president by condemning his energy policies.

Grimes campaigned in Lexington and Hazard on Wednesday with former President Bill Clinton. Grimes shared the stage in Hazard with more than a dozen retired and active coal miners from the United Mine Workers of America.